As the winter approaches, you want to make sure you’re prepared to stay warm and avoid any illnesses. But one of the biggest challenges is what should our winter heater temperature be. You’ll most likely have to wear warm clothes around the house, but you likely don’t want to wear as many layers as you would outside.
So what’s the ideal thermostat temperature for staying warm in the winter? How do you maintain a comfortable temperature without raising the heating bill too much?
Here’s what you need to know:
Comfortable Winter Heater Temperature
In most cases, the most comfortable temperature is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This keeps your home cool without interfering with your heating system or your furnace.
It’s a great temperature for staying warm in the winter without overwhelming your heater. You mustn’t make the mistake of keeping your thermostat too high. Many homeowners might wish to make their heat as warm as possible. This way, they can wear as few layers as possible to stay warm in the winter.
But in the long run, this can actually harm your heating system. Keep your temperature moderate. This means that it’ll be warm but it won’t be boiling.
The one exception is if you have a heat pump. If you operate with a heat pump, then you’ll need to increase your thermostat to the ideal warm temperature.
Do this gradually until you find a comfortable temperature. You should also research heat pump installation to decide if it’s for you.
Turn It Down a Notch
You also should know that it’s not always prudent to keep your temperature to your desired degree. You might wish to lower the temperature for at least 6 to 8 hours per day.
If the outside temperature becomes warmer, then you can keep your thermostat cooler for several hours. Another option is to cool your home while you’re out.
For example, if you generally spend 10 hours out of the house each day then keep the temperature cool during this time. You can turn on the heat as soon as you return.
Another option is to invest in a smart thermostat. You can set this thermostat to warm your home on its own before you return. This is the ideal situation, where you can manage the temperature of your home remotely.
You also need to lower temperatures in your home as the temperature outside changes. As fall turns into winter, don’t immediately heat your home to the highest temperature. You want to slowly warm your house before you choose the comfortable temperature mentioned in the previous section.
Protect Your Heating System
Your next step is to protect your heating system so that you don’t have to constantly replace it.
You want to clean your furnace at least once a year. It’s always best to hire a professional who can clean it and fix any issues. They’ll also recommend any new furnaces that you can buy should the need arise.
Make sure you have sturdy doors and windows before the winter comes. If there are any leaks, holes, or large gaps you want to fix this before the winter.
Make sure you also use your heating system sparingly. For example, if it’s a sunny day outside you want to let the sunlight in. This can lead to natural warmth in your home. It lets you give your heating system a deserving rest!
Where to Place Your Thermostat
When you install your thermostat, you want to place it in the ideal location. The ideal location has many factors:
- Where it’s easy to locate by any member of the family
- Excluding small children who you might not want to be able to access the thermostat
- Away from sunlight, doorways, etc.
- This prevents the thermostat from starting on its own
- Away from too much furniture
- This ensures that the airflow is better
The idea is to place your thermostat on an empty wall. Most homeowners prefer to install their thermostats on a wall close to their front door. Install it at a level that the average adult in your home can easily reach.
Best Practices for Winter Heater Temperature
Let’s end this guide with a few best practices that you need to consider to keep warm this winter and handle your thermostat.
One is to keep your thermostat cool during the summer. If you have ceiling fans then you might end up not using the thermostat at all during the other seasons.
However, if you don’t use your thermostat for several months it might stop functioning. You don’t have to use your thermostat 24/7 but you want to use it regularly. This ensures that you don’t have to maintain or repair it often.
You should also be sure you have enough batteries on hand at all times. You’ll need to occasionally re-charge your thermostat and you want to make sure you can do this at a moment’s notice. Depending on where you live, the winters can be harsh and you won’t be able to go shopping for extra batteries!
Make sure you also turn off your thermostat even during the winter months. For example, let’s suppose you’re out of the home for three hours.
You might want to turn your thermostat off for at least one hour. Then, you can set your thermostat to turn on after one hour has passed.
While you need to use your thermostat often you also have to balance giving it a break every now and then. Make sure you also clean the thermostat itself as it can occasionally gather dust and malfunction!
Manage Your Winter Heater Temperature
Now you know how to manage your winter heater temperature and use your thermostat to keep you warm.
Start by setting your home to a comfortable temperature. In most cases, 68 degrees Fahrenheit will be the suitable temperature. Also, do your research on installing a heat pump.
Make sure you also give notice to where you install your thermostat. Find a fine line between keeping it off and on. Make sure you also follow our best practices so that you stay warm this winter.
You can find more great advice on similar subjects on our website.
